Author Archives: gravelyspeaking

We don’t often think of the classical orders—Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian—as having gender, but the ancients did. Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh The Doric Order, associated with the Greek god of Apollo, represents masculinity which can be seen with its sturdy columns.  … Continue reading →

The Monumental Bronze Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut sent out enterprising door-to-door salesmen armed with a catalog to show customers the full range of “white bronze” markers the company produced. These grave markers came in a wide assortment of sizes and … Continue reading →

Michelangelo once said, “The sculpture is already complete within the marble block, before I start my work. It is already there, I just have to chisel away the superfluous material.” The great artist was merely helping the sculpture emerge. The … Continue reading →

JENNIE POLAND DAUGHTER OF MRS. NELLIE GUERBER, DIED SEPT. 23, 1878, 18 YEARS, Gone to join the Angels. The Monumental Bronze Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut published a 127-page catalog of their designs in October 1882.  The company’s range of grave … Continue reading →

The Niver Family monument in the Oakwood Cemetery in Syracuse, New York, depicts a mourning figure—in this instance, an angel. We know it is an angel by its wings.  Christian art began depicting angels with wings in the fourth century.  … Continue reading →

Sometimes artisans display their craft on their gravestones, as did this gondola maker who is buried in the San Michele Cemetery in Venice, Italy.

Many organizations were founded in the later part of the 19th Century that required the prospective members demonstrate that their ancestors had been in the United States before a certain date or that their ancestors had served in a war.  … Continue reading →

Gravely Speaking and Syngrammata have decided to dig deep into our photo collections in order to bring you pairs of images drawn from our many years combing through American cemeteries. Each pair will be linked by a theme which we … Continue reading →

Gravely Speaking and Syngrammata have decided to dig deep into our photo collections in order to bring you pairs of images drawn from our many years combing through American cemeteries. Each pair will be linked by a theme which we … Continue reading →

This highly detailed stained-glass window in a mausoleum in the Forest Home Cemetery in Forest Park, Illinois, most likely refers to several Bible verses.  In this window, Jesus holds a lamb—a symbol of innocence and purity.  It also refers to … Continue reading →